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en-usCopyright 2015 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/hungry-elder-scrolls-online-is-revamping-provisioning/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/hungry-elder-scrolls-online-is-revamping-provisioning/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/hungry-elder-scrolls-online-is-revamping-provisioning/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
When The Elder Scrolls Online's Update 6 launches later this month, characters with the provisioning skill should go make us a sammich. Just kidding. But if you do decide to make us a sammich, you'll find the process much more streamlined and effective, as ZeniMax is plotting a major overhaul of the profession.

In a dev blog posted last night, the studio explained that it will be reducing the overall number of ingredients in the game, adding new recipes, updating the cooking UI, and giving food additives some oomph. Roleplayers will be happy to learn that lootable food-related objects will soon yield appropriate ingredients (apples from apple baskets, for example), and food buffs will make a bit more sense, like "meat dishes [that] increase your health and fruit dishes [that] increase your magicka."

If you're not actually a cook yourself, all you really need to know is that you should start skinning fish, cows, and chickens for meat and that drink buffs won't suck anymore. Hooray!

ESO dev post
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftcookingdaggerfalldev-blogdev-blogsdev-diariesdev-diarydev-postdev-postsdeveloper-blogdeveloper-blogsdeveloper-diariesdeveloper-diarydeveloper-postdeveloper-postselder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsmorrowindoblivionprovisioningpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosTue, 20 Jan 2015 10:00:00 -0500319|21132160http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/elder-scrolls-new-champion-point-progression-system-detailed/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/elder-scrolls-new-champion-point-progression-system-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/elder-scrolls-new-champion-point-progression-system-detailed/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsElder Scrolls Online's Update 6 will introduce the Champion System, which is a "new way to continue your character's growth and customization" at endgame. Once you reach Veteran Rank 1, the system unlocks across your account and allows you to gain Champion Points for participating in activities that normally grant experience.

Only VR-level characters can earn the new points, but once earned the points are available to any of your avatars.

There's also a new account-wide mechanic called Enlightenment that builds over time regardless of whether you're logged in or not and grants a bonus to Champion Point progression. More details on the new system are available on the official ESO website.

Champion System
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftchampion-pointschampion-systemdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineendgameesoeso-champion-systemfactionsgrindmorrowindoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosThu, 15 Jan 2015 14:30:00 -0500319|21130379http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/elder-scrolls-online-boxes-continue-to-vacate-store-shelves/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/elder-scrolls-online-boxes-continue-to-vacate-store-shelves/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/elder-scrolls-online-boxes-continue-to-vacate-store-shelves/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
More Australian retailers have apparently lined up to pull boxed copies of The Elder Scrolls Online from store shelves.

Aussie gaming site Games.On.net reports that both Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi have deleted copies of the game from their physical stores. The unnamed Games.On.net source, who said he/she had seen the paperwork confirming the recall, claims that "all game cards and copies were pulled out of Harvey Norman, and the ONLY reason that would happen is because it has become a free product [...] if it was being brought out in a different format, it'd have a price drop, not a recall."

Kotaku, EscapistGames.On.net
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australiabethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsmorrowindoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosThu, 15 Jan 2015 10:00:00 -0500319|21130179http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/10/elder-scrolls-online-tweaks-champion-points-conversion-rate/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/10/elder-scrolls-online-tweaks-champion-points-conversion-rate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/10/elder-scrolls-online-tweaks-champion-points-conversion-rate/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments The new endgame champion system coming to Elder Scrolls Online in Update 6 is the talk of Tamriel, and ZeniMax is evaluating feedback carefully to make sure that it launches without a hitch. The studio announced on Friday that it will be making a change to how it will convert veteran ranks to champion points.

Originally, the studio was going to give a blanket 30 champion points to any player who had at least one veteran rank on a character. Based on feedback, ZeniMax will now be converting veteran ranks to champion points at the rate of 200,000 XP per point at the moment of Update 6's release, for a maximum of 70 potential champion points for one's entire account.

The studio made it clear that champion points will not cost 200,000 XP after Update 6; this conversion rate is specifically for veteran ranks pre-release.

Champion system feedback
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftchampion-pointschampion-systemchampions-onlinedaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineendgameesofactionsfeedbackmorrowindoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpveteran-rankszenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosSat, 10 Jan 2015 15:00:00 -0500319|21127832http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/rumor-the-elder-scrolls-online-console-version-may-be-close/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/rumor-the-elder-scrolls-online-console-version-may-be-close/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/rumor-the-elder-scrolls-online-console-version-may-be-close/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Let's just start with the disclaimers, for those who have forgotten: Online retailers do not necessarily know the date of releases any more than you do. They just enter a future date for preorders and go. Amazon's release date for the console launch of The Elder Scrolls Online is still December 31st, 2015, which isn't a prediction so much as a way of keeping it in the system for this year. But Microsoft's listing of the game for Xbox One on February 24th, 2015, does merit at least a little attention.

Sure, it could just be a placeholder date, but it's awfully soon for a placeholder when the store could easily list December. It would also make a certain amount of sense, since the console version was originally slated for last month after its initial delay. So what do you think, readers? Is The Elder Scrolls Online just around the corner for console owners? Or is it just another placeholder date?

PC GamerKotaku.au (Recall), TESO Xbox One page
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b2pbethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftbusiness-modelsbuy-to-playconsoleconsolesdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesof2pfactionsfree-to-playmorrowindnewsnews-itemsoblivionpvprumorrumorsrvrskill-basedskyrimspeculationsubscriptionsubscriptionstamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosFri, 09 Jan 2015 10:00:00 -0500319|21127369http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/04/one-shots-shadow-play/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/04/one-shots-shadow-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/04/one-shots-shadow-play/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Welcome to a new year -- and the best year of One Shots you'll ever see. I know this because I've been to the future (December 31st, 2015) and spent those precious time-bending moments flipping through all of the One Shots column this year. Amazing stuff, people. Really well done.

Well, we might as well get started with your glorious photo journeys! Our very first pic of the year is from reader Becca, who sends us this groovy bit of shadow play in Elder Scrolls Online: "While waiting for a boss to spawn in a public dungeon, my friend Arkslan and my character Rozyn had some fun with lighting."

Great. Now I know what will be lurking under my bed tonight: a sing-songy bard. Terror knows no name, but it does sing harmony.

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activisionbethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbring-back-one-shotsconsoleconsolesdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesof2pfactionsfantasyffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfree-to-playgalleriesgallerymorrowindoblivionone-shotspics-or-it-didnt-happenpvpreader-screenshotsreader-submissionsriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrscreenshotscreenshotsskill-basedskyrimsquaresquare-enixtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldsuser-submissionswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosSun, 04 Jan 2015 10:00:00 -0500319|21121866http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/30/the-elder-scrolls-online-quietly-removes-six-month-subscriptions/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/30/the-elder-scrolls-online-quietly-removes-six-month-subscriptions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/30/the-elder-scrolls-online-quietly-removes-six-month-subscriptions/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Players are just a little bit leery of the fact that The Elder Scrolls Online has removed the six-month subscription option from the game. Oh, sure, it seems innocent enough; it's just a change in billing options. But it's also one of those changes that's happened in more than a few other games indicating that the game was removing the need for a subscription... or that the game was no longer going to be playable at all, in the case of Warhammer Online.

The official ZeniMax response on the French forums is simply that players indicated they preferred the shorter billing options, so the six-month option was removed. General sentiment in the thread is that this answer is not entirely credible. If it really is a harbinger of something more to come... well, we'll find out about it in about six months. Maybe five.

Forum thread
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsmorrowindnewsnews-itemsoblivionpvprumorrumorsrvrskill-basedskyrimsubscription-optionssubscription-timetamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosTue, 30 Dec 2014 16:00:00 -0500319|21122551http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/24/elder-scrolls-online-definitely-coming-to-consoles-in-2015/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/24/elder-scrolls-online-definitely-coming-to-consoles-in-2015/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/24/elder-scrolls-online-definitely-coming-to-consoles-in-2015/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsZeniMax has posted a holiday greeting to Elder Scrolls Online fans that also promises a console launch for the fantasy MMO in 2015. "We've released five major updates and tons of improvements and fixes," the blurb reads. "Next year promises to be just as exciting as we introduce the Champion and Justice systems, launch on the PS4 and Xbox One, and continue to release new adventures for you to experience."

Announcement
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftconsoleconsolesdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsmorrowindoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosWed, 24 Dec 2014 16:00:00 -0500319|21120995http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/11/the-elder-scrolls-online-undaunted-pledge-system-promotes-daily/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/11/the-elder-scrolls-online-undaunted-pledge-system-promotes-daily/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/11/the-elder-scrolls-online-undaunted-pledge-system-promotes-daily/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Are you wandering around The Elder Scrolls Online in a post-Update 5 haze, lost on what to do? Wander no more: ZeniMax has released a dev blog today to give you some guidance.

The guide details the pledge system of the Undaunted, whose tasks are reminiscent of daily dungeon quests in other themeparks. Starting at level 45, players can swear themselves to the Undaunted faction, which offers two daily quests to complete dungeons, one veteran and one not. Depending on how well they complete the dungeon and the difficulty of the encounter, players will be awarded reputation with the faction as well as a key to unlock a sweet chest of loot. "The Undaunted chests can contain a variety of helpful loot, from valuable Ornate items and soul gems to unique items sets and attention-grabbing shoulder pieces fashioned from the very brutes you've slain," writes ZOS.

Undaunted Pledges
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfalldailiesdailydaily-dungeondev-blogdev-blogsdev-diariesdev-diarydev-postdev-postsdeveloper-blogdeveloper-blogsdeveloper-diariesdeveloper-diarydeveloper-postdeveloper-postselder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsmorrowindoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpundaunted-pledgezenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosThu, 11 Dec 2014 11:30:00 -0500319|21114885http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/04/elder-scrolls-online-says-theres-work-to-do-on-console-versio/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/04/elder-scrolls-online-says-theres-work-to-do-on-console-versio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/04/elder-scrolls-online-says-theres-work-to-do-on-console-versio/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
The self-imposed six-month delay of Elder Scrolls Online's console release has come and gone, and it looks as though fans will be waiting a while yet to see the title come to Xbox One and PlayStation 4. In a new Road Ahead post, the team admits that the adaptation has been tricky but that progress is being made.

"We have been (and will continue to be) steadily working on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of ESO. They are playable and fun right now, but there's still some work to do before we can set an official launch date," Game Director Matt Firor said. He mentioned that, among other tasks, the team is designing a new UI from the ground-up and adding voice chat for the consoles.

Firor also discussed Update 6, which is scheduled for January. The update will contain the new champion and justice systems, the latter of which will allow players to pickpocket NPCs and steal from vendors. However, this will be but the first pass for the justice system, as PvP will be integrated at a later date.

The Road Ahead
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftchampion-systemconsoleconsole-releasedaggerfalldelayelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsjustice-systemmatt-firormorrowindoblivionplaystation-4pvproad-aheadrvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpupdate-6xbox-onezenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosThu, 04 Dec 2014 11:40:00 -0500319|21002920http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/03/elder-scrolls-online-walks-you-through-crafting-writs/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/03/elder-scrolls-online-walks-you-through-crafting-writs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/03/elder-scrolls-online-walks-you-through-crafting-writs/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Fun fact: Elder Scrolls Online'sUpdate 5 is about a month old at this point and is now able to roll over and distinguish shapes. Among its treasure trove of new features was the introduction of crafting writs. However, in case you are a little confused or curious what these are and how to do them, ZeniMax has crafted (get it?) a new dev diary to walk you through the process.

To be able to take on writs, players will first need to become certified in a desired crafting profession by undertaking a related quest. Once completed, players can accept a task from a writ board to craft specific goods and turn them in for rewards. Each category of writ can only be fulfilled once a day, and completing them can even net you survey reports to point you toward a cluster of harvest nodes.

A closer look at crafting writs
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftcraftingdaggerfalldev-diaryelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsmorrowindoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpupdate-5writwritszenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosWed, 03 Dec 2014 10:00:00 -0500319|21001934http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/elder-scrolls-unveils-its-six-month-loyalty-reward/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/elder-scrolls-unveils-its-six-month-loyalty-reward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/elder-scrolls-unveils-its-six-month-loyalty-reward/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsZeniMax has revealed its six-month subscriber reward for players of The Elder Scrolls Online. The devs are continuing with the vanity pet theme introduced for the three-month reward, only instead of a High Hrothgar Wraith, this time we have the Dwemer Sphere.

Keep in mind that the reward months accumulate whenever you have an active sub, so if you leave for a month or two and then resubscribe in the future, you'll retain your progress in terms of loyalty rewards.

Speaking of veterans, they'll probably be happy to know that the devs are continuing to roll out the previously announced veteran rank revamp with Update 5. Veteran Ranks are now earned via experience points, and each rank will grant an attribute point and a skill point. It now takes 1,432,550 experience points to earn a VR, and ZeniMax says that it expects "this to reduce the amount of time it takes to gain a Veteran Rank."

Patch notes
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineelder-scrolls-update-5esoeso-update-5factionsmorrowindoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpupdate-5zenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosMon, 03 Nov 2014 14:30:00 -0500319|20987943http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/the-daily-grind-do-you-defend-your-favorite-mmo/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/the-daily-grind-do-you-defend-your-favorite-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/the-daily-grind-do-you-defend-your-favorite-mmo/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
I think I'm getting old, because there was a time when I'd wade into a forum discussion about my favorite MMO and defend it to the death against all comers. I still catch myself doing that on occasion, but said occasions are getting rarer. The passion hasn't gone anywhere, but I'd rather just go play it than argue about it, you know?

What about you, Massively readers? Do you defend your favorite MMOs?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfalldaily-grindelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsmorrowindoblivionopinionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltdgtestesothe-daily-grindthe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosThu, 30 Oct 2014 08:00:00 -0400319|20985841http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/28/elder-scrolls-online-is-getting-some-scary-monster-face-hats/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/28/elder-scrolls-online-is-getting-some-scary-monster-face-hats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/28/elder-scrolls-online-is-getting-some-scary-monster-face-hats/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
When Massively newswriters are looking for news to write, they generally look first to the Massively newsroom. The Massively newsroom is a place where editors dump links that can be turned into stories, and more often than not said links are labeled with funny/sarcastic/bitterly angry temporary titles.

The temporary title for the news post you're currently reading was "ESO Hats... you'd think a game this big could manage more than hat teasers on Twitter, but you'd be wrong!"

It's quite a long temporary title as temporary titles go, but that's fine because it really captures the essence of this particular news post. The Elder Scrolls Online is in fact coming out with some new hats. OK, they're actually monster helms and they look pretty badass. You can expect them in Update 5!

ESO Twitter
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-hatselder-scrolls-monster-helmselder-scrolls-onlineesoeso-hatsfactionshatsmonster-helmsmorrowindoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpyes-its-a-slow-news-dayzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosTue, 28 Oct 2014 17:30:00 -0400319|20985297http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/21/delve-deeper-into-elder-scrolls-with-two-new-book-series/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/21/delve-deeper-into-elder-scrolls-with-two-new-book-series/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/21/delve-deeper-into-elder-scrolls-with-two-new-book-series/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsWhy have Elder Scrolls Online only on your gaming machines when you can also have it on your bookshelves? Bethesda has partnered again with Titan Books to create two new series that delve deeper into the world of Elder Scrolls, one focusing on ESO and the other on Skyrim. A March 2015 release date is planned for the first volume of each series.

The Elder Scrolls Online - Tales of Tamriel will be split into two volumes, the first titled The Land and the second, The Lore. Both will expound even further on the lore of the game and feature never-before-seen art.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - The Skyrim Library consists of three volumes (The Histories; Man, Mer and Beast; and The Arcane) that moves the all of the game's in-game text to out-of-game print that players can grab and read at their leisure.

Elder Scrolls books announcement
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftbooksdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineESOfactionsloremorrowindnew-booksoblivionpvprvrskill-basedSkyrimtamrieltesTESOthe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosTue, 21 Oct 2014 17:00:00 -0400319|20981816http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/02/guild-leaders-converge-for-the-elder-scrolls-onlines-first-guil/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/02/guild-leaders-converge-for-the-elder-scrolls-onlines-first-guil/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/02/guild-leaders-converge-for-the-elder-scrolls-onlines-first-guil/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
If you weren't invited to The Elder Scrolls Online's current guild summit... well, don't feel bad; only the leaders of 20 guilds and online communities were invited. But it's still kind of nail-biting. What could they be talking about in there? What strange and arcane topics will be brought up? Will special items be handed out? Are there designer cheeses available? Lucky for you, though, the folks at the Tamriel Foundry have taken the time to transcribe what's going down in Maryland so that even those not at the summit can get a sense for what's happening.

The first day of the summit covered combat responsiveness, system design, AvA mechanics, and the Champion system. This means both detailed examinations of where the game is currently lacking and what's coming in the future; the Champion system and the rework of the veteran experience is slated for "when it's done" rather than a specific date. So sit back and take a look at all of the hard details on display, possibly whilst eating some designer cheese of your own.

ESO Guild Summit Day 1
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftchampion-systemdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineendgameesofactionsfuture-patchesgame-mechanicsguild-summitmorrowindnewsnews-itemsoblivionpatchpatchespvprvrskill-basedskyrimsummittamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpveteran-levelingveteran-rankszenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosThu, 02 Oct 2014 10:00:00 -0400319|20971176http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/23/the-elder-scrolls-online-asks-players-for-a-tale-of-the-dead/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/23/the-elder-scrolls-online-asks-players-for-a-tale-of-the-dead/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/23/the-elder-scrolls-online-asks-players-for-a-tale-of-the-dead/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Aw, jeez. That can't have been happy. There's a story behind that picture, you just know it; people don't just grow spears while sitting down with some wine and cheese. And what is that story, you ask? Well, that's up to you! The Elder Scrolls Online is challenging players to construct yet another tale of the dead, a 500-word story in any format outlining how the unnamed skeleton in this screenshot wound up in this unfortunate predicament.

Tales of the Dead 2
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftcontestdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsfiction-contestmorrowindnewsnews-itemsoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtale-of-the-deadtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpwriting-contestzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosTue, 23 Sep 2014 13:00:00 -0400319|20966320http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/17/the-elder-scrolls-online-moves-up-to-update-4/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/17/the-elder-scrolls-online-moves-up-to-update-4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/17/the-elder-scrolls-online-moves-up-to-update-4/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
You've been to Craglorn? Pff, that's boring now. Upper Craglorn is where the real action is these days. And by complete coincidence, Upper Craglorn is now open on The Elder Scrolls Online's servers, as the game's fourth major update has just dropped. The zone will wrap up the Celestial storyline as your character takes on the Scaled Court. That also ties into the new trial, Sanctum Ophidia, which is a direct strike against the heart of the Court; players will take on the minions and end up fighting the Celestial Serpent.

The new Dragonstar Arena also debuts with this patch, asking players to fight against waves of oncoming enemies. Plus there's a new crafting trait available, improved grouping mechanics, various bugfixes, the usual assortment. So if you can't wait to go knife up a really important snake and check out the places that all the hip new kids are heading for, go check out the update.

Update 4 is now live!
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backstorybethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsloremorrowindnewsnews-itemsoblivionpatchpatchespvprvrskill-basedskyrimsnaaakesnakesnakestamrieltestesoteso-update-4the-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpupdateupdate-4updatesupper-craglornzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosWed, 17 Sep 2014 09:00:00 -0400319|20963635http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/15/elder-scrolls-ups-vr-cap-adds-upper-craglorn-and-more/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/15/elder-scrolls-ups-vr-cap-adds-upper-craglorn-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/15/elder-scrolls-ups-vr-cap-adds-upper-craglorn-and-more/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Did you know that Elder Scrolls Online's fourth major content patch came out today? It sure did, and judging by the 1.4.3 notes it's a biggun.

ZeniMax has added the upper region of Craglorn and a new trial called Sanctum Ophidia. The four-player Dragonstar Arena with its 10 stages of monsters is live, too, along with a VR level cap bump to 14. That's not all, so click the links below to read about the additional changes.

As is the norm for games of this type, we had ramped up a large workforce to develop a game of vast scale, and ramped up our customer service to handle the expected questions and community needs of The Elder Scrolls Online at launch. Now that we are nearly 6 months post launch, we have a thriving online community in a game that runs smoothly. We have adjusted staffing to meet the ongoing needs of the studio, which continues to operate with a large work force.

We remain strongly committed to The Elder Scrolls Online, and continue to invest heavily to develop new content for PC players, prepare the game for its console launch, and handle our planned expansion into important international territories. As for customer service, we continue to operate large support centers in Hunt Valley, MD and Galway, Ireland.

Former ESO animator Nate Walpole attributed the apparent layoffs to the team's large size and the unpredictability of the MMO industry:

Large layoffs reported ongoing at #ZeniMaxOnline today. MMO dev coupled with a #huge team size - GL and reach out if you need contacts. :(0

Joystiq
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionslayoffsmorrowindnate-walpoleoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosWed, 03 Sep 2014 12:05:00 -0400319|20956588http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/28/the-scoop-on-elder-scrolls-onlines-dragonstar-arena/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/28/the-scoop-on-elder-scrolls-onlines-dragonstar-arena/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/28/the-scoop-on-elder-scrolls-onlines-dragonstar-arena/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
When The Elder Scrolls Online's fourth update arrives next month, a new type of content will open to players: themed PvE arenas. The first of 10 such arenas, Dragonstar, is the subject of a new developer essay on the official site today.

The Dragonstar Arena is located in Craglorn and will pit a group of four players against five waves of monsters with "escalating intensity," though not necessarily escalating numbers; ZeniMax promises there will be no "cannon fodder" to waste your time. Hazards inside the arena -- like poisonous clouds, lava flows, and immobilizing blizzards -- will further impede groups' progress through the challenges.

ZeniMax says that arenas are intended to provide difficult combat encounters and elite rewards to small, highly skilled groups, but more casual players can skip Veteran mode for normal mode if they choose. We've included the brief Dragonstar arena trailer below.

Dev blog
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arenaarenasbethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftcraglorndaggerfalldev-blogdev-blogsdev-diariesdev-diarydev-postdev-postsdeveloper-blogdeveloper-blogsdeveloper-diariesdeveloper-diarydeveloper-postdeveloper-postsdragonstardragonstar-arenaelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsmorrowindoblivionpve-arenapvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptrailertrailersvideovideoszenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosThu, 28 Aug 2014 16:30:00 -0400319|20954108http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/28/elder-scrolls-fourth-major-update-teased-in-new-concept-art/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/28/elder-scrolls-fourth-major-update-teased-in-new-concept-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/28/elder-scrolls-fourth-major-update-teased-in-new-concept-art/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
When Elder Scrolls Online's fourth major update lands in September, players will be able to "discover the ruins and delves of the last region of Craglorn," according to a teaser on the fantasy MMO's website. Upper Craglorn holds the key to the mystery of the fallen constellations, apparently, and it also boasts something called "the Serpent Trial" and "treacherous new delves."

ZeniMax has posted a few concept art wallpapers to whet your appetite for the new content.

Scenes from Upper Craglorn
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bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftcraglorndaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineelder-scrolls-update-4esoeso-update-fourfactionsmorrowindoblivionpvprvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpupper-craglornzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosThu, 28 Aug 2014 11:00:00 -0400319|20953800http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/27/leaderboard-how-do-you-feel-about-loyalty-rewards/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/27/leaderboard-how-do-you-feel-about-loyalty-rewards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/27/leaderboard-how-do-you-feel-about-loyalty-rewards/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsElder Scrolls Online announced its vet reward program recently, and while it doesn't take effect until next month, it got me to thinking about similar incentives in other MMOs. They're pretty common, of course, and even F2P games offer them provided that they also offer an optional subscription tier.

Personally vet rewards aren't much of an incentive. I mean, sometimes they offer a neat-looking vanity pet that I'll look at once and subsequently forget to ever summon again, but I can't recall ever anticipating a loyalty reward or remaining subscribed in order to get one. What about you, Massively readers? Are loyalty rewards nothing more than a nice bonus, or are there some that go above and beyond in terms of desirability? If so, which ones? Don't forget to vote after the cut!

Ever wish that you could put to rest a long-standing MMO debate once and for all? Then welcome to the battle royal of Massively's Leaderboard, where two sides enter the pit o' judgment -- and only one leaves. Vote to make your opinion known, and see whether your choice tops the Leaderboard!

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battle-royalbethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofactionsleaderboardloyalty-rewardsmorrowindoblivionone-on-oneone-vs-oneopinionpollpollspvprewardsrvrskill-basedskyrimtamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvpversusveteran-rewardsvotevotesvotingvszenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosWed, 27 Aug 2014 16:00:00 -0400319|20952569http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/21/elder-scrolls-introduces-subscriber-loyalty-program/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/21/elder-scrolls-introduces-subscriber-loyalty-program/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/21/elder-scrolls-introduces-subscriber-loyalty-program/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsZeniMax has just announced a subscriber loyalty program for Elder Scrolls Online that is slated to start in September. If you're eligible, you'll receive an email and subsequently a High Hrothgar Wraith vanity pet provided that you've been subscribed for three months.

"The loyalty program will keep expanding over time," ZeniMax says, and you'll be able to collect pets and other upcoming rewards once you meet the requirements, so don't worry if you've canceled your sub already but plan to return.